The Missouri Public Service Commission approved water rate increases proposed by Liberty Utilities on Thursday, Jan. 23.
In March 2024, Liberty Utilities initially proposed a 130% increase in fees for water service in Bolivar.
In turn, the City of Bolivar — also representing the Bolivar R-1 School District, Citizens Memorial Hospital and Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation, and Southwest Baptist University — filed a formal legal intervention with the Missouri Public Service Commission in April 2024.
The City hired Healy Law Offices, LLC, as special legal counsel as it moved through the intervention process.
As part of the intervention case, Liberty Utilities agreed to lower its rate increase amount to around 63% and implement the rate increase gradually over four years.
Here are the increases per year:
Year 1: 20%
Year 2: 10.5%
Year 3: 11.4%
Year 4: 10.2%
You can find more information about the approved rate increases per year in the attached photo.
The approved rate increases per year are in the attached document.
Bolivar residents will not see an increase in sewer rates.
An order filed by the Missouri Public Service Commission stated the approved rates are “significantly less than the one initially requested” and called them “just and reasonable rates.”
“The Commission also finds that phasing-in the Bolivar water rate increase over a four-year period results in rates that are just and reasonable for the Bolivar service area,” the order stated.
Per the order, the new rates will be effective Sunday, Feb. 2.
If you have questions about your rates and utility services, you'll need to contact Liberty Utilities at 1-800-206-2300.